Split collar mountable wind turbine

ABSTRACT

A split collar mountable turbine that can be assembled in two separate halves and adapted to be attached circumferentially around existing structures. Top and bottom attachment rings each comprise first and second arcuate elements adapted to interconnect circumferentially about an axis to form two rings. A fan blade housing ring comprising first and second arcuate elements, adapted to interface into complimentary slots within the top and bottom rings, and also adapted to interconnect circumferentially about an axis to form a fan blade housing ring and is received in complimentary slots. The fan blade housing ring moves in tracks located in the top and bottom rings. Located within the fan blade housing are two pair of off-axis electrical generators driven by rotation of said fan blade housing to produce electricity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wind turbine used to convert windforces into electrical energy. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a wind turbine and combined generator having a cylindricalshaped structure, formed in split halves adapted to be concentricallyaffixed about an elongate shaft or similar structure.

2. Related Art

The need and demand for renewable energy is increasing as an alternativeto traditional fossil fuels and nuclear power. Existing devices andmethods adapted to harness renewable sources, such as wind power, mayhave the unwelcome effect of creating large and noticeable physicalfootprints on existing landscapes. Existing wind turbines requireinstallation on tall masts with sufficient horizontal and lateralclearance and rights of way and accessibility to an electrical grid.Wind farms that use existing wind turbines may be located in lessdensely populated areas and may utilize large tracts of valuable landand many times increase the cost of kilowatt hour due the requirement ofconstruction of access to electrical grids. Wind generators located inmore densely populated areas may block views, block sunlight, createnoise and otherwise may be ascetically undesirable. In addition,existing horizontal and vertical wind turbines can be a danger tocertain bird populations.

A common wind turbine structure includes a single large propelleraffixed at the top end of a vertical mast. Airflow across the blades,airfoils or the propellers cause rotation activating a generator toproduce electricity. Because of the length of the blades and the size ofpropeller, many times such wind turbines are affixed atop very tallmasts making maintenance and repair difficult. The high placement alsotakes advantage of higher winds having more force to move the massivepropeller blades. Also the installation of the masts are expensive andare required to support a significant amount of weight to support boththe blades and generator which is typically located at the center of theblades. A conventional propeller type wind turbine with blades alsotypically rotates perpendicular to wind direction requiring expensivemechanisms to rotate either or both of the forward direction of theproper, or the angle of the propeller blades.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for devices and methods togenerate renewable energy from wind and airflow forces that has aminimized physical impact on the livable landscape and environment andwhich can capitalize on existing infrastructure and electrical gridinterfaces. Also, there is a need in the art for devices and methods tocreate electricity from wind flow forces that minimize adjustments inthe turbine orientation decreasing the complexity of the wind turbinesand decreasing costs of manufacture, maintenance and control.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a mountable wind turbine adapted totake advantage of existing infrastructure as it can be attached andretrofitted to existing structures such as light poles, power poles,water towers, traffic light arms, existing wind turbine masts,billboards, communications towers and similar existing structures.Because the device can be retrofitted onto existing structures that havepre-existing access to electric grid, the wind turbine of the presentinvention can be utilized with significant costs savings over a windturbine that requires its own mast structure, real-estate plot andconstructed power grid access. In addition, the wind turbine of thepresent invention additionally provides the advantage of potentiallypowering devices associated with the structure to which it is attachedsuch as a traffic light on a light pole, equipment on a communicationstower, traffic light or alternative to provide power to one or morebattery storage units that provides back up power.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a splitcollar mountable wind turbine includes a first top ring comprising firstand second arcuate elements, said first and second arcuate elements areadapted to interconnect circumferentially about an axis to form aninterconnected ring along with a second bottom ring comprising first andsecond arcuate elements, said first and second arcuate elements adaptedto interconnect circumferentially about an axis to form aninterconnected bottom ring. A fan blade housing ring comprising firstand second arcuate elements, each of said arcuate elements having afirst end adapted to interface into a slot within said first top ring,and a second end adapted to interface with a slot second bottom ring andblade elements interconnected between said first end and said second endof each of said arcuate elements, said arcuate elements adapted tointerconnect circumferentially about an axis to form an said fan bladehousing ring. Located within the housing is two pair of off-axiselectrical generators each generator having rotating gears, saidrotating gears are driven by rotation of said fan blade housing ringabout an axis, which turns the generators in order for the generators toproduce electricity. The generators may be in electrical connection withthe power grid to supply power or to otherwise provide electric power toa local device or battery back up.

Wind forces engage the blades of the fan housing, and force rotation ofthe fan blade housing in a circular direction about the attachmentrings, within groves formed in the attachment rings. The attachment ringgroves may have bearings or alternatively rollers to provide freerotation of the housing within the track. As a further alternative, thegrooves of the attachment rings may include rare earth magnets toprovide magnetic levitation of the fan blade housing within theattachment ring grooves to aid in providing reduced frictional movementof the fan blade housing. Magnetic levitation can also be achieved byuse of electro magnets formed in the attachment ring grooves. The bladehousing can also be designed to create its own lift when spinning to cutdown on friction and ease stress of the bottom attachment ring.

It is contemplated by the present invention that the fan turbine of thepresent invention can be assembled in two separate halves, for ease ofattachment and adapted to be attached circumferentially around existingstructures such as electrical pole, light poles and traffic poles. Aseries of set screws and set guides can be adjusted to engage and besupported by a structure that the collar mount wind turbine of thepresent invention surrounds. Because of the numerous set screws, the setscrews can be adjusted to engage non cylindrical surfaces such as thesquare cross section of chimney or other irregularly shaped supportstructure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows three of the wind turbines of the present invention affixedto an existing wind turbine pole in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the wind turbine of the presentinvention in its environment, with a shaft shown in broken lines inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the wind turbine of the presentinvention in its environment, with a shaft shown in broken lines inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the wind turbine of the present inventionin accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side cross sectional view of the wind turbine of the presentinvention in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is top cross sectional view of the wind turbine of the presentinvention in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional schematic view of the wind turbine of thepresent invention with mount adaptors engaged with a structure having asquare cross section in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional schematic view of the wind turbine of thepresent invention with mount adaptors engaged with a structure having atriangular cross section in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows the wind turbine of the present invention affixed to anexisting house chimney in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 shows the wind turbine of the present invention affixed to anexisting vertical light pole and a second shaft mount turbine of thepresent invention affixed to a generally horizontal traffic light arm inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 shows the wind turbine of the present invention adapted for usein association with the air intake of a motor vehicle in accordance withone embodiment of the present disclosure;

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and thedetailed description to indicate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure, and is not intended to represent the only forms thatmay be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the variousfunctions in connection with the illustrated embodiments, but it is tobe understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may beaccomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to beencompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is furtherunderstood that the use of relational terms such as first, second, andthe like are used solely to distinguish one element from another withoutnecessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or orderbetween such elements.

Existing structures such as light poles, traffic light arms,communication towers, wind turbine masts, chimneys and smoke stacks arecommonplace in the modern landscape in both rural and urban communities.In most instances, these types of structures have existing access to thepower grid associated with the structure's function or devices attachedto the structures. The split collar shaft mountable wind turbine of thepresent invention takes advantage of existing infrastructure as it canbe attached and retrofitted to existing structures such as light poles,power poles, water towers, traffic light arms, existing wind turbinemasts, billboards, support structures, communications towers and similarexisting structures. Because the device can be retrofitted onto existingstructures that have pre-existing access to electric grid, the windturbine of the present invention can be utilized with significant costssavings over a wind turbine that might require its own mast structure,real-estate plot and/or constructed power grid access. In addition, thewind turbine of the present invention additionally provides theadvantage of potentially powering devices associated with the structureto which it is attached such as a traffic light on a light pole,equipment on a communications tower, traffic light or provide power tobattery storage unit associated with such devices that can be used tostore a charge.

Referring particularly to the drawings, embodiments of the split collarmountable wind turbine of the present invention are shown. Inparticular, FIGS. 1, 9 and 10 show examples of the attachment of thewind turbine 10 of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 1,there is shown a prior art propeller type wind turbine 12 affixed to thetop of a mast 14. The split collar turbine 10 of the present inventionis adapted to the attached circumferentially about the vertical mast 14.In the example as shown in FIG. 1, three turbines 10 are attached to themasts in serial fashion. In the example of FIG. 1, a tall mast 14 isparticularly suited as an existing structure to provide a support basefor one or more of the turbines 10 of the present invention. Because theturbines 10 are fixedly attached to the mast 14 in the example of FIG. 1they can be spaced at various locations about the length of the mast 14.The mechanism for attachment of the mast is discussed more fully below.

In the example of FIG. 1, one or more turbines 10 can supply power tothe power grid or alternatively could provide additional power to abattery backup (not shown) of the propeller wind generator 12, and mayadditionally provide power to mechanisms that direct the propeller typewind turbine 12 into the direction of the wind for maximum efficiency.Although three turbines 10 are shown in FIG. 1, any number of turbines10 could be affixed to the mast 14 depending on space and weightlimitations.

Another example of mounting the turbine 10 onto preexisting structuresis demonstrated in FIG. 9. The turbine 10 is affixed to the chimney 16of a residential house 18. As described in more detail with regard toFIG. 7, the hollow center of the collar is adapted to receive the squarestructure of the chimney 16. A series of set screws 114 can be adjustedto engage the surface of a square structure such as shown in FIG. 7 orother shape such as shown in FIG. 8. Due to the large number of setscrews 114 it is contemplated by the present invention a variety ofshapes of support structures can be accommodated and used as a support.It is additionally contemplated by the invention that the turbine 10could be affixed to other types of exhaust structures such as smokestacks on factories and other similar edifices. A further example isshown in FIG. 10 where the turbine 10 can be attached to a verticallight pole 20 or a horizontal traffic light arm 22. The examples asshown in FIGS. 1, 7-10 are merely exemplarily and it is contemplatedthat the wind turbine 10 of the present invention could be affixed tomany types of structures in various orientations. In addition topreexisting structures, it is contemplated by the present invention thata support structure can be specially constructed to support the turbine10 of the present in invention. For example, a pole can be installedinto the ground for the custom purpose of supporting one or more of thewind turbines 10 of the present invention. In addition, it iscontemplated by the present invention that the alternate means ofattaching the wind turbine of the present invention may be employed suchas a clamping mechanism or other means of structural attachment as knownby one skilled in the art.

The low profile of the turbine 10 of the present invention allows it tobe affixed to preexisting structures and minimizing interference withthe surrounding area. As demonstrated in FIG. 10, the turbine 10 can besecured to the light pole 20 without interfering with the normaloperation of the light pole and is of sufficiently light structure as tonot over burden the structure of the light pole 20. The turbine 10, asdemonstrated in FIG. 10, could provide main or auxiliary power to alight 24. Alternatively, the turbine 10 could supply power to a batterybackup (not shown) for the light pole 20, or alternatively, theelectrical output of the turbine 10 could be connected directly to apower grid to provide power back into the power grid system. Similarly,the turbine 10 can supply power to traffic lights 26 of the light pole20. Likewise, the turbine 10 as demonstrated in the example of FIG. 9could provide an additional power source to a residential house 18,could provide power to a battery backup system (not shown) or otherwiseinterconnect to the power grid to provide power back into the system.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown wind turbine ofthe present invention, with a top perspective view in FIG. 2 and abottom perspective view in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 demonstrates a top attachmentring 100 that includes arcuate half rings 102 and 104. Although the topattachment ring 100 is comprised of half rings 102 and 104 eachcomprising one half of the top attachment ring 100, it is contemplatedby the present invention that the top ring can be comprised of arcuateelements that are not of equal circumference or alternatively the topattachment ring could be a unitary structure.

The half rings 102 and 104 are interlocked by flanges 106, pin guide 110and pin 108. The flange 106 nests in the groove of a pin guide 110. Theflange 106 and pin guide 110 have corresponding apertures such that whenthe flange 106 is nested in the pin guide 110 the apertures alignallowing a pin 108 to be inserted through the pin guide 110 and flange106 to interlock ring halves 102 and 104 to form the top attachment ring100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 half ring 102 includes pin guides110 on each side of the half ring while the half ring 104 includesoppositely formed flanges 106 to mate with the ring half 102. Althoughthe flange and pin guide arrangement are segregated between ring halves102 and 104 as shown in FIG. 2 it is additionally contemplated by thepresent invention that the half rings could each include one flange andone pin guide that also mates with the corresponding half ringstructure. It is further contemplated that the top ring 100 could beformed as a single ring, or a ring formed of three or more interlockingpieces.

As shown in FIG. 2 the semicircular half rings 102 and 104 form anannular attachment ring 100 having a center opening 112. Although theembodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a circular opening 112, it iscontemplated that the aperture formed in the top attachment ring couldhave an opening in a shape other than a circle to accommodate thestructure to be received within opening 112. In operation when theattachment ring 100 is attached to a structure, a gap 137 (examplesshown in FIGS. 7 and 8) allows for airflow in and out of the interior ofthe blade housing 127.

A plurality of set screws 114 are engaged with set guides 116. The setguides 116 are rigidly attached to the ring 100. In operation, the setscrews 114 are rotated to move the set screws inward or outward toengage a structure that is placed in the opening 112. The set screws 114engage and grip a structure located within the aperture 112 to assist inholding the entire structure of the wind turbine 10 to the interveningstructure. In this regard, the wind turbine 10 can be attached removedor adjusted upon a structure that is located within the opening 112.

FIG. 3 demonstrates a bottom attachment ring 118 that includes arcuatehalf rings 120 and 122. Although the bottom attachment ring 118 iscomprised of half rings 120 and 122 each comprising one half of thebottom attachment ring 118, it is contemplated by the present inventionthat the bottom ring 118 can be comprised of arcuate elements that arenot of equal circumference or the bottom ring 118 could be formed of aunitary structure.

The half rings 120 and 122 are interlocked by flanges 124, pin guide 128and pin 126. The flange 124 nests in the groove of a pin guide 128. Theflange 124 and pin guide 128 have corresponding apertures such that whenthe flange 124 is nested in the pin guide 128 the apertures alignallowing a pin 126 to be inserted through the pin guide 128 and flange124 to interlock ring halves 120 and 122 to form the bottom attachmentring 118. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 half ring 120 includes pinguides 128 on each side of the half ring while the half ring 122includes oppositely formed flanges 124 to mate with the ring half 120.Although the flange and pin guide arrangement are segregated betweenring halves 120 and 122 as shown in FIG. 3 it is additionallycontemplated by the present invention that the half rings could eachinclude one flange and one pin guide that also mates with thecorresponding half ring structure. It is further contemplated that thebottom ring 118 could be formed as a single ring, or a ring formed ofthree or more interlocking pieces.

As shown in FIG. 3 the semicircular half rings 120 and 122 form anannular attachment ring 118 having a center opening 130. Although theembodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a circular opening 130, it iscontemplated that the aperture formed in the bottom attachment ring 118could have an opening in a shape other than a circle to accommodate thestructure to be received within opening 130. In operation when theattachment ring 118 is attached to a structure, a gap 135 (examplesshown in FIG. 6) allows for airflow in and out of the interior of theblade housing 127.

A plurality of set screws 132 are engaged with set guides 134. The setguides 134 are rigidly attached to the ring 118. In operation, the setscrews 132 are rotated to move the set screws inward or outward toengage a structure that is placed in the opening 130. The set screws 132engage and grip a structure located within the aperture 130 to assist inholding the entire structure of the wind turbine 10 an interveningstructure. In this regard, the wind turbine 10 can be attached removedor adjusted upon a structure that is located within the opening 130.

Referring particularly FIG. 4 there is shown an exploded view of thewind turbine of the present invention. The exploded view shows top ring100 and bottom ring 118 along with blade housing 127 that includes aplurality of blades 129 interconnected between a top housing ring 130and a bottom housing ring 132. The blade housing 127 forms a completecylinder, shown as separated in drawing FIG. 4. The two halves of theblade housing 127 may be attached together by a standard bolt and nutconstruction (not shown) at the top housing ring 130 and bottom housingring 132. Alternatively a screw clamp system or connector plates may beemployed. The bolt and nut construction is placed at both ends where thetwo blade housing halves meet, to let them act as one cylindrical pieceas the blade housing 127.

The blade housing 127 incorporates a blade housing gear interface 136 aformed on the top housing ring 130 and a lower gear interface 136 b. Theblade housing cylinder 127 interfaces with grooves formed in the topattachment ring 100 and bottom attachment ring 118. More particularly,as demonstrated in bottom attachment ring 118 a turbine channel groove138 is formed on the upward surface of each of the ring halves 120 and122. When the ring halves 120 and 122 are connected, a complete groovechannel 138 is formed in the ring 118 to interface with the bottom ring132 of the blade housing 127. The bottom ring 132 is magnetized.Alternatively a series of rare earth magnets may be formed about thebottom ring 132 on the sides and bottom of the ring 132 that mates withthe groove 138. As a further alternative an electromagnet may beemployed. As demonstrated in FIG. 4 the groove 138 includes a pluralityof recesses 140 for receiving rare earth magnets 117, the recesses 140formed in the bottom of the groove 138. Also rare earth magnet recesses139 are formed along the both sides of the sidewalls of the groove 138to accept rare earth magnets 119. When the blade housing cylinder 127 isinserted into the groove 138, the housing 127 is free to rotate withinthe groove 138 through magnetic levitation. Although the example of FIG.4 includes the use of rare earth magnets, it is additionallycontemplated that electromagnets may be employed as well as bearings orother types of rollers which would allow the blade housing to rotatewithin the groove of the bottom attachment ring 118. Likewise, the topattachment ring 100 includes a groove 142 to interface with the top ring130 of the blade housing 127. The top ring 130 is magnetized.Alternatively a series of rare earth magnets may be formed about the topring 130 on the sides and bottom of the ring that mates with the groove142. As a further alternative an electromagnet may be employed. Thegroove 142 is formed in ring halves 102 and 104 in the identicalconfiguration as ring halves 120 and 122 and additionally utilizes rareearth magnets (not shown) formed in ring halves 102 and 104 in theidentical configuration as ring halves 120 and 122 to employ magneticlevitation as a means of providing a reduced friction means of rotatingthe blade housing 127 between the attachment rings 118 and 100. It iscontemplated that although rare earth magnets are contemplated in thegroove 142 in the top ring 100, other types of magnetic levitation canbe employed or alternatively movement of the blade housing 127 bybearings or other rollers incorporated into the groove 142.

As such, in operation, the blade housing 127 nests within the grooves138 of the bottom attachment ring 118 and the top groove 142 of the topattachment ring 100 so that the blade housing 127 can rotate freelybetween the rings 100 and 118. In this regard, a wind force acting upona blade of the blade housing 127 will cause rotation of the bladehousing 127. Because the blade housing 127 is cylindrical, a wind forcecoming from any lateral direction can cause force upon the blades 127causing rotation of the blade housing 127. The wind turbine blades 129work like a sail with airflow around the rounded blades 129 causingforward movement of blade housing. The airflow around the blades 129 mayalso create lift for the housing 127. It is contemplated that the blades129 may be comprised of a variety of shapes and cross sections as arecommonly used and known by one skilled in the art for use in windturbines. Also the blades 129 can be attached to the housing by pivotsthat can be driven to rotate, and the housing 127 may be computerized tocause the blades 129 to open and close, to capture more wind in low windcondition and prevent damage in high wind conditions. As shown, theblades are 129 are evenly spaced about the housing 127, however it iscontemplated that any number of blades can be employed with blades ofvarying sizes. For example the rotating housing 127 can have a little asone blade 127, or a large number of blades within the physicallimitations of the housing 127. The invention employs four generatorslocated in generator pairs 144 and 146. Each generator pair is enclosedin unitary housing structures 144 and 146. Generator pair 144 includes abottom generator attached to gear 152 and a top generator attached togear 148. Likewise, generator pair 146 includes a bottom generatorattached to a gear 152 and the top generator is attached to a gear 150.The rotation of the blade housing 127 causes an interaction withgenerator pairs 144 and 146 to drive the generators pairs 144 and 146.In the shown embodiment, four generators are employed, includinggenerator pair 144 and generator pair 146, although it is contemplatedthat the present invention can utilize as little as one generator or twoor more generators up to any number that is within the physicallimitations of the housing 127. Each of the generator pairs 144 and 146include top gears 148 and 150 respectively along with bottom gears 152and 154 respectively. For example, with respect to generator pair 146,the generator attached to top gear 150 interfaces with the gearinterface 136 a of the blade housing 127 and the generator attached tobottom gear 154 interfaces with the bottom gear interface 136 b of theblade housing 127. As shown, each generator pair 144 and 146 includestwo generators (not shown) stacked in opposite directions inside asupport cylinder forming generators pairs 144 and 146. In operation, asthe blade housing 127 rotates, it causes rotation of gear 148 attachedto a generator in generator pair 144 and gear 152 attached to agenerator in generator pair 144 and gear 150 attached to a generator ingenerator pair 146 and gear 154 attached to a generator in generatorpair 146 causing each of the generators in generator pairs 144 and 146to rotate and to generate electricity by known methods to those skilledin the art. The generators to be used in the wind turbine of the presentinvention will be known generators as understood by one skilled in theart. Known generators are employed having coils and magnets generatingan electrical field which is harvested by the coils and converted intoelectricity.

FIG. 5 provides a cross-sectional view of the wind turbine of thepresent invention and in an assembled state. FIG. 6 provides a crosssectional view along axis 6-6 as shown in FIG. 5. Referring particularlyto FIGS. 5 and 6 the blades 129 are shown interconnected to the bladehousing 127, wherein the blade housing 127 moves within the groovechannel 138 of the bottom attachment ring 118 and groove channel 142 ofthe top attachment ring 100. The generator pairs 144 and 146 interfacewith the rotating housing 127 through the gear interface 136 b on thebottom side with gears 152 for a generator located in generator pair 144and gear 154 for a generator located in generator pair 146 along withgear interface 136 a (not shown) via gear 142 for a generator located ingenerator pair 144 and gear 150 for a generator located in generatorpair 146. In FIG. 6, the cross sectional view from axis 6-6 as shown inFIG. 5 shows a top down view in the interaction of the generator locatedin generator pair 144 and the generator located in generator pair 146with gears 152 and 154 respectively interfacing with the gear interface136 b of the blade housing 127. The ends of the set screws 132 can beseen to be extended to interface with a light pole or other typestructure to which the turbine 10 of the present invention may beattached. As shown in FIG. 6, the set screws 132 are attached to thebottom ring 118 and held in place set guides 158. As with the top ring100 there are a plurality of set screws 132 and associated set guide134. Air may flow in and out of the cylinder of the blade housing in gap35 which is formed between the annular ring and structure found withinthe inner opening 130.

Referring particularly to FIG. 11 there is shown an alternate use of thewind turbines 10 of the present invention. Wind turbines 10 are used inassociation with a motor vehicle 154. The wind turbines 10 are mountedto internal shafts 156 affixed within the vehicle 154. When in motion,air is taken into air intakes 158 and 160 of the motor vehicle 154. Theair intake 158 and 160 pass air into air ducts 162 and 164. The airducts 162 and 164 are tapered to condense air flow to a tapered out takeports 166 and 168. Because the air ducts 162 and 164 are tapered, airflow is forced through the out take ports 166 and 168 at an increasedvelocity to engage the blades 128 to cause rotation of the blade housingand thereby cause rotation of generators (not shown) located within theblade housing 127. Additional airflow and flow through airflow isredirected to the sides of the automotive vehicle through exhaust portson the driver's and passenger's side, with exhaust ports 170 shown(exhaust port on passenger side not shown). Although the embodiment ofthe present invention is shown in FIG. 11 shows that the wind turbines10 are inserted using the tapered ducts 162 and 164, it is contemplatedthat only one turbine or more than two turbines can be incorporated intoa moving vehicle, aircraft or watercraft to take advantage of oncomingairflow. In this regard, it is contemplated by the present inventionthat the turbines 10 may be located anywhere on a motor vehicle,aircraft or watercraft where airflow can be received.

The particulars shown herein are by way of example only for purposes ofillustrative discussion, and are presented in the cause of providingwhat is believed to be the most useful and readily understooddescription of the principles and conceptual aspects of the variousembodiments set forth in the present disclosure. In this regard, noattempt is made to show any more detail than is necessary for afundamental understanding of the different features of the variousembodiments, the description taken with the drawings making apparent tothose skilled in the art how these may be implemented in practice.

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 14. A wind turbine comprising:at least two circular rings, each having a circular groove, said ringsadapted to be fixedly secured in spaced relation to a central support; afan blade housing comprising a plurality of fan blades interconnectedbetween first and second ring elements, said first and second ringelements adapted to be rotatably secured and movable within respectiveones of said circular grooves of said rings; at least one electricalgenerator being rotatably connected to said fan blade housing, whereinrotation of said fan blade housing initiates rotational movement of saidelectrical generator to generate electricity.
 15. The wind turbine ofclaim 14 wherein said first and second rings include at least twoadjustable members adapted to releasably secure the wind turbine to thecentral support.
 16. The wind turbine of claim 15 wherein saidadjustable members are set screws.
 17. The wind turbine of claim 14wherein said fan blades are rotatably connected to said first and secondring elements.
 18. The wind turbine of claim 17 wherein said fan bladesare rotatably adjusted by an electronic actuator in a fixed position.19. The wind turbine of claim 14 wherein said fan blade housing ismovable within said circular grooves by magnetic levitation.
 20. Thewind turbine of claim 14 wherein said fan blade housing is movablewithin said circular grooves by ball bearings.
 21. A wind turbinecomprising: at least two circular rings, each of said rings having acircular groove, said circular rings having first and second arcuateelements interconnected for forming said circular rings; each of saidcircular rings having at least one mechanical interface adapted toreleasably engage a central support placed within said rings; a fanblade housing comprising a plurality of fan blades interconnectedbetween first and second ring elements, said first and second ringelements adapted to be rotatably secured and movable within saidcircular grooves of said circular rings; and at least one electricalgenerator being rotatably connected to said fan blade housing, whereinrotation of said fan blade housing initiates rotational movement of saidelectrical generator to generate electricity.
 22. The wind turbine ofclaim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of fan blades ispivotally interconnected between said first and second ring elements.23. The wind turbine of claim 14, wherein at least one of the pluralityof fan blades is pivotally interconnected between said first and secondring elements and is selectively pivotable between first and secondpositions, a wind force acting on the at least one of the plurality offan blades increasing as the at least one of the plurality of fan bladespivots from the first position toward the second position.
 24. The windturbine of claim 14, wherein the circular groove extends into therespective ring.
 25. The wind turbine of claim 14, further comprising amagnet coupled to the fan blade housing.
 26. The wind turbine of claim25, wherein the magnet is an electro magnet.
 27. A wind turbine adaptedfor use with a central support, the wind turbine comprising: a pair ofattachment elements adapted to be attachable to the central support; afan blade housing comprising: a first housing element and a secondhousing element, said first and second housing elements adapted to berotatably secured to the pair of attachment elements; and a plurality offan blades pivotally coupled to the first and second housing elements;and at least one electrical generator rotatably connected to said fanblade housing, rotation of said fan blade housing initiates rotationalmovement of said electrical generator to generate electricity.
 28. Thewind turbine of claim 27, wherein each attachment element iscircumferentially attachable to the central support.
 29. The windturbine of claim 27, wherein each attachment element is of an annularshape and defines an inner periphery and an outer periphery.
 30. Thewind turbine of claim 27, further comprising a guide coupled to at leastone of the pair of attachment elements and being operatively coupled tothe fan blade housing to guide movement of the fan blade housingrelative to the pair of attachment elements.
 31. The wind turbine ofclaim 30, wherein the guide includes a groove formed in one of the pairof attachment elements.
 32. The wind turbine of claim 30, wherein theguide includes a pair of grooves formed in respective ones of the pairof attachment elements.
 33. The wind turbine of claim 27, wherein atleast one of the plurality of fan blades is selectively pivotablebetween first and second positions, a wind force acting on the at leastone of the plurality of fan blades increasing as the at least one of theplurality of fan blades pivots from the first position toward the secondposition.